Alberta gives Fort McMurray area rights to more Crown land to help expansion

FORT MCMURRAY, Alta.—Alberta’s oilsands capital now has room to grow.

The provincial government has given the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, which includes Fort McMurray, the rights to more than 22,000 hectares of Crown land.

The province hopes the allocation will lead to new housing, businesses and jobs in the area.

Energy Minister Ken Hughes says the land should meet the needs of the municipality for the next 25 years.

Hughes said the population of Fort McMurray is expected to double by 2030.